Disney World provides a range of options for guests, but which resort category should you choose? Sometimes the price helps your decision, but what about those times when you’re on the cusp of a resort category? Will the differences be worth the upgrade? With this post, we’ll take a closer look at the room and amenities differences at Disney World’s Moderate Resorts. Compare the Moderate Resort details below with my Value Resort and Deluxe Resort posts.

MODERATE RESORTS

Walt Disney World features five Moderate Resorts: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Fort Wilderness Campground Cabins, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Port Orleans Riverside. These resorts offer large, lush grounds with a relaxing vibe. You can stroll along a river, a lakeside path, or through wilderness trees. Not only are Moderate resort rooms larger than those at Value resorts, but the resorts themselves offer several more amenities.

STANDARD ROOMS

• Standard rooms are about 314 square feet and include two Queen beds or one king bed. Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans Riverside also offer rooms with a child-sized murphy bed to sleep five guests (plus an infant). The 5th Sleeper rooms at Caribbean Beach may have a pirate or mermaid theme, depending on their location in the resort.
• Room doors open to the outside with the exception of rooms in the Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower, which open to interior hallways.
• Standard bathrooms include two sinks along with either a wardrobe or large open closet with hanging rod.
• Rooms are subtly themed, with the exception of the Port Orleans Riverside Royal Guest Rooms, which include a few more animation elements. Moderate Resort furnishings provide more texture and detail compared to the look and feel of Value Resort rooms.

SUITES & CABINS

• Coronado Springs is the only Moderate Resort with Suite options.
• Fort Wilderness Cabins are about 500 square feet with bedding for six guests (plus an infant). These Cabins also feature a dining table, living area, one full bath, and a full kitchen.

POOLS

• Each Moderate resort boasts several pools, with the main pool featuring at least one water slide. Because Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter are sister resorts and in walking distance of each other, guests may swim at both resort’s pools.
• Pool areas at Moderate Resorts include a hot tub. Coronado Springs boasts not only the largest hot tub of the Moderates, but also the longest water slide of the group.
• Port Orleans French Quarter, Caribbean Beach and Fort Wilderness also provide a splash park for little ones near the feature pool.
• Plastic lounge chairs are provided on the pool decks.

SHOPPING & DINING

• Each Moderate Resort features at least one Quick Service dining option and at least one Table Service restaurant, along with a lounge. Though Port Orleans French Quarter is an exception without a Table Service restaurant on-site, it is in walking distance of Riverside’s Table Service restaurant. Coronado Springs boasts the most on-site dining options of the Moderate resorts.
• A pool bar provides refreshments for guests near the feature pool.
• The main building of each resort also houses a gift shop with a variety of souvenirs, snacks, a small selection of grocery items, and pharmacy-type products.

RECREATION

• Beyond the recreation included at all resorts (pool-side games, Movies Under the Stars, a playground, and an arcade), Moderate resorts host several additional activities and experiences. For example, you’ll find such things as evening campfires, fishing or fishing excursions, volleyball, fun runs, painting classes, surrey bike rentals, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Double check the Recreation tab at each resort’s link (above) to find out what recreation is included at each resort. Some activities require an additional fee.
• Fort Wilderness provides the most outdoor activities of any resort and includes canoeing, archery, horseback riding, wagon rides, a nightly Campfire Sing-along with Chip & Dale, and more.

TRANSPORTATION

• The primary mode of Disney transportation between the theme parks and Moderate Resorts is Disney’s bus service. Because of their size, most Moderates have multiple bus stops around the perimeter of the resort to reach all guests.
• Caribbean Beach is the only Moderate with a Disney Skyliner station, and in fact is a central hub for the Skyliner network. The Skyliner provides access to Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Pop Century and Art of Animation Resort, and the Riviera Resort.
• Fort Wilderness also provides boat service to the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort, and Wilderness Lodge.
• Both Port Orleans resorts feature boat service to nearby Disney Springs.

LOCATION

• Moderate Resorts are fairly central on property, and are closest to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. As the exception, Fort Wilderness is located in the Magic Kingdom resort area.

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES

• Coronado Springs is the only Moderate resort offering a salon, spa, and fitness center.
• Coronado Springs also offers a Business Center.

CLUB LEVEL

• Coronado Springs is the only Moderate resort to feature Club Level service. The beautiful Chronos Club lounge is located in Gran Destino Tower and provides snacks and drinks throughout the day.
• Club Level Service includes evening turndown service. It also includes personal assistance from Signature Services for help securing your dining and activity reservations.

Moderate Resorts offer a more calming atmosphere compared to the theme parks, which can be nice to return to each evening. The additional dining and recreation options add variety to your stay, and the themes are carried out well, providing that get-away feel.

Check out my Value Resort and Deluxe Resort posts to compare categories and visit my Request a Quote page so that we can get started planning your magical trip!